The construction “not only … but also …” is used to emphasise something that has more than one quality, or has done more than activity, where the final quality is especially surprising or noteworthy. It can be used to list adjective qualities, nouns or verbs, to show complimentary qualities, quantities or actions, events and states:
- He is not only kind, but also generous.
- The circus was comprised of not only magicians and clowns, but also many dangerous animals.
- The band not only played instruments, but also danced.
When to use “not only…but also”
The “not only…but also” construction is most commonly used in formal contexts. This can be useful when presenting an argument stacking the positive or negative qualities of a character, an action or an event.
- The government was not only effective in lowering taxes, but also helped to reduce unemployment through careful measures.
- The riot was not only loud and violent, but also caused a huge deal of damage to the area.
The construction can list a flexible number of different qualities, objects or verbs (dealt with as a list), but the important thing to remember is that the one that follows “but also” is especially noteworthy.
How to form “not only…but also”
“Not only…but also” can come after the main subject and verb, splitting up a list that the main verb introduces:
- I like not only strawberries but also bananas.
It can also come after an entire clause (following objects and direct objects) to describe the qualities of the main clause.
- We walked through the hills not only when it was sunny, but also when it was raining.
To put extra emphasis on the comparative list, a clause can be started with “not only”, making the subject and main verb part of the list. To do this, the subject and verb (following “not only”), must be inverted. In the comparative clause, following but, also can sometimes come before the subject and verb, and sometimes after:
- Not only was she smart but she was also very wealthy.
- Not only was it later, but also it was raining.
Variations of “not only…but also”
“Also” is not always necessary, and can be either removed or (to emphasise something complimentary) replaced by “too” at the end of the second clause:
- They were not only friendly, but helpful.
- Skateboard tricks are not only difficult to do, but tiring too.
If the subject and verb are present in the second clause, “but” can also be removed for the same meaning, as long as “also” or “too” are used.
- He not only raises dogs, he also takes care of cats.
- I enjoy English because it is not only useful, it is interesting too.
The “not only…but also” construction can also be formed, with similar meaning and constructions with “not just…but also”. This is less formal:
- It was not just fun, but also educational.
Not only…but also Exercise
Choose appropriate constructions from the notes above to form comparative sentences for the following lists. The subjects and qualities for comparing are given, but please think of your own verbs and structures (try to be ambitious!). The first question has been done for you.
- He – clever – good at basketball = He is not only clever, but also good at basketball.
- They – large group – well organised
- The performance – long – boring – expensive
- The new garden – large – beautiful
- My English homework – difficult –a long time
- Outside – dark– raining
- Park near my house – river – trees – children’s play area
- The new housing block – swimming pool – gym – underground club
- Restaurant across the road – bad food – rodent infestation
- English countryside – green – fresh – full of activities
- Our new teacher – considerate – interesting exercises
- The event on Saturday – brilliant showcase of musicians – many different stages – charitable
Is it a must to apply a comma before but also?
Hi Bamutaze,
It is a matter of style – mostly people do use the comma, but sometimes it is not used. For a general pattern, the comma helps clarify longer sentences, so may be less likely with shorter comparisons.
E.g.
I am not only tired but also hungry.
I am not only going to get a well-paid job once I graduate, but also a better, cleaner and safer place to live.
I understand that a comma is used when two independent clauses are connected with “not only … but also,” but if joining similar structures like 2 nouns, 2 adjectives, or 2 phrases in that case no comma is needed.
I think that would generally be fair to say but there are no real absolutes here, as I said above it’d be more to do with the length of sentence, phrase or clause that determines how useful a comma would be, really it’s just to help with clarity. E.g. “They not only danced but they also sang.” looks fine because we have too short clauses, but “He not only had long, dark, curly hair, but also the most lovely blue eyes.” reads better because we have long noun clauses. (Though equally it might merely depend on a style choice for consistency, i.e. if we chose always to use a comma with this construction.)
Which one is correct
I have to not only work hard but also take care of health.
I not only have to nwork hard but also take care of health.
Hi Sydul, both these forms are possible; where we position ‘not only’ is quite flexible. However, you should quantify health, e.g. ‘my health’.
can u plz explain when to begin the sentence with not only..and when not to
Hi Jainam, that’s a good question – but not one that we can really put a rule to. Putting ‘not only’ at the beginning of the sentence is a style choice, as with rearranging any clauses for what we call ‘frontloading’. There’s no real rule to stop you inverting “not only” and the subject, but the effect is generally when we want to emphasise that this information is surprising, to draw attention to the paired features. I’d imagine it’s more applicable, though, when the first item (not only X) is already understood/known, so perhaps in response to a comment that’s already been made, emphasising the extra detail.
E.g. “She is not only clever but is also kind.” is a fairly neutral statement
“Not only is she clever but she is also kind.” is more likely to imply we know she’s clever, e.g. “Oh she’s so clever!” “Yes but not only is she clever, she’s also kind!”
I hope this helps!
Can you please explain when the verb is supposed to be placed before ‘not only’ and after. Eg- I like not only strawberries but also bananas. Vs. I not only like strawberries but also bananas.
Hi Zalak – to some degree this could be done as a matter of taste/style; I imagine in some regions English speakers will have a preference for one or another without affecting meaning. But as a general grammatical point, I would suggest that putting ‘not only’ before the verb suggests that the verb is what is being contrasted, so the extra detail following ‘but also’ should concern a verb.
E.g.
I not only walk to school, but I walk home too. (putting emphasis in both cases on the walking)
I not only washed the car, but I also cut the grass. (emphasising two different actions, washing and cutting)
Compare this last one to:
I washed not only the car, but also the windows. (emphasising what was washed)
is it compulsory to apply a comma after not only?
Hi Rebanta,
There isn’t a hard rule here, but in general if you are connecting two phrases without a verb (e.g. nouns or adjectives) then a comma shouldn’t be used, but if you’re connecting two clauses then a comma should be used. But there may be exceptions in both cases – for example you might use a comma between two nouns to add emphasis.